Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Established Tacoma law firm explains your options

It is not necessary to retain a lawyer to file your personal injury lawsuit. You should base your decision to involve an attorney on a reasonable assessment of the pros and cons. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler is a highly reputable personal injury law firm that has served Washington since 1959. We deliver value to our clients that far outweighs the fees we collect. But before you retain any attorney, you have to be satisfied that the benefits exceed the costs. We offer these points for your consideration.

Are you healthy enough to take on added responsibilities?

If you’re planning to sue for personal injuries, you’re probably not at your best. You may not even be able to work at your present job. Is this really the time to take on more work, especially tasks that involve a steep learning curve with expensive consequences when you make mistakes?

How much do you know about court procedure?

Civil court has intricate rules and strict deadlines. Violate a rule and you either have to refile (paying additional fees) or you lose your rights regarding issues in the case. Errors do more than add to your expenses; they undermine your case. You might lose the opportunity to enter crucial evidence. When opposing counsel sees your case start to unravel, they become uninterested in negotiating a settlement.

Have you ever negotiated a big deal before?

For the insurance companies against whom you file your claim, business considerations drive settlement talks and litigation. While you are right to view your lawsuit as a fight for justice, you must also appreciate opposing counsel’s point of view, and be willing to think in terms of closing a business deal. If you’ve never closed a six-figure deal before in a business setting, you almost certainly are getting in over your head.

Can you finance your lawsuit?

Lawsuits are expensive. In addition to filing fees, consider a simple deposition of a witness under oath. To obtain a record, you need a court stenographer, a highly skilled professional with a commensurate hourly fee. And if your witness is an expert in medicine, accident reconstruction, etc., you must pay the expert’s hourly fee as well. If defense counsel senses that these expenses present a hardship, you can expect them to drag out discovery and drive up your costs to wear you down. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler advances all costs of litigation, so you pay nothing until you obtain damages through a settlement or verdict.

Do you know the true value of your claim?

Certain damages, such as current medical expenses, are easy to calculate. But what about projecting costs into the future? What about the value of your pain and suffering? Can you estimate a fair level of compensation, or will you mistakenly leave tens of thousands of dollars on the table? An experienced personal injury attorney at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler knows the potential value of injuries based on trends in settlements and jury verdicts, and can advise you on whether to settle or fight in court.

Retain a reputable, experienced Tacoma personal injury attorney

Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler delivers benefits that far outweigh the costs to you in time, money and stress. Get a free case evaluation by an experienced injury attorney. Call us at 253-383-5388 or contact our Tacoma office online today.

Are You a Victim of the MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital Hepatitis C Exposure?

Our firm is actively taking on representation of clients who were patients at MultieCare-Good Samaritan Hospital and were exposed to Hepatitis C and perhaps other diseases. We are investigating the actions of MultiCare and its employees as well as the MultiCare system itself that led to this crisis occurring.

If you have information about this incident, or previous incidences of MultiCare employees misusing narcotic medications intended for patients, or if you have legal questions about this matter and your rights, our lawyers are available to assist you at 253-383-5388.

"Client was involved in a head-on collision when a bus crossed the center line. Client suffered a severe closed head injury preventing him from returning to his previous employment. $884,998.
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"Client was involved in serious head-on collision with uninsured motorist while on-the-job, resulting in physical injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Client can no longer work as a commercial truck driver. $708,000.
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"Client was a rear seat passenger in a vehicle that was involved in an automobile accident. Client was severely injured as the result of a defective seatbelt, while the other three occupants of the vehicle sustained only minor injuries. $650,000.
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"Client was killed in automobile accident caused by defendant’s failure to yield the right-of-way. $650,000.
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"Minor client was on his way to school and was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. Defendant driver had pulled into oncoming lane to pass another vehicle and struck client, causing serious injuries. $500,000.
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"Client was killed as a result of an in-cab fuel tank, which caught fire after an automobile accident. $350,000.
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"Client riding a bicycle was struck by a motorist who failed to yield the right-of-way. Client sustained numerous injuries, including a closed head injury. $120,000.
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Our Firm Videos

Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler

Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler

"I have been a client of Dan Kyler’s since 1996. Having had numerous car accidents, I rely upon Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler to help me through them. The most obscure questions have been answered and help is given on all levels. Thanks."

"John Wilson demonstrated his professionalism by keeping us current on our case, explaining our options, giving us realistic expectations and demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity beyond reproach. We have the highest confidence that we were well represented."

"Dan Hannula’s hard work helped to settle my auto accident case.
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"Having a motorcycle accident was bad enough, let alone dealing with insurance companies. John Wilson and his staff made everything easy to understand and hassle free.
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"I am extremely satisfied with the service I experienced with this firm and I would recommend them to anyone that needs legal representation. Michael Fisher and his staff are great people.
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"Vern Harkins perseverance and hard work made it possible to get the maximum settlement from the insurance company. I know he had my interest in mind as demonstrated by his actions.
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"The office staff were courteous, pleasant and kept me informed as to what was going on throughout the whole ordeal.
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"Molly Crowley is a very professional and knowledgeable lawyer. I felt I was very well represented!!
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"Molly Crowley was knowledgeable, kept me informed every step of the way and just did a great job!
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"We got a fair settlement and were treated with respect and dignity throughout the whole process. -Blake W.
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